Porzingis makes triumphant return for Celtics in Game 1 vs Mavs

BOSTON – Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic could not put a finger on why his partnership with Kristaps Porzingis did not work out.

“I don't know why it didn't work out,” Doncic said during the NBA Finals Media Day last Wednesday (Thursday Manila time). We were still both young. We tried to make it work, but it just didn't work. So [we] moved on.”

What did not work out in Dallas is clicking in Boston as the Celtics continued their dominant playoff run with a 107-89 rout of the Mavericks in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals Thursday (Friday Manila time) at a packed and loud TD Garden.

Porzingis returned from a 10-game absence due to a calf strain to spark the Celtics off the bench. The 7-foot-2 Latvian center finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes, serving as the biggest difference-maker in the Finals opener.

“Tonight was an affirmation to myself that I'm pretty good, you know? Maybe I'm not perfect, but I'm pretty good and can play like this and I can definitely add to this team,” Porzingis said after his sensational return and NBA Finals debut. 

Boston is now 13-2 in the playoffs, including 9-1 without Porzingis.

But his return made the Celtics more formidable. 

Boston trailed Dallas 13-12 when Porzingis checked in to a loud ovation from the 19,156 screaming fans with 7:17 left in the first quarter. 

The momentum quickly shifted from there.

“He just went on a run where he just hit the three, hit the middy, then ran back, got the block at the rim in transition,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said of Porzingis. “He was just making play after play and it was just like, all right, he's back, there was no question about it then. 

By the end of the first quarter, the Celtics held a mighty 37-20 lead with Porzingis’ imprint all over it. He had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting with three rebounds and two blocks in the opening quarter. 

“I think obviously what helped me is just even from the walk out before the game and then getting on the court, getting that kind of support was unreal,” Porzingis said. “The adrenaline was pumping through my veins and that definitely helped. 

Obviously, it wasn't ideal that I was out for such a long time, but I